A review by tvislife
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This was an uncomfortable read, both in the sense that the subject matter was dark and the writing style was hard to follow. It came off as poetic and mystical, but you had to read each line carefully and devote your whole attention to it (tbh maybe that’s how you’re supposed to read books, but that’s not what I typically do; i like my books to be easy enough that I can be distracted by life while reading and not get lost). 

I disliked the main character (or at least, one of her), and got mad at myself for disliking her; it seemed to go against the purpose of the book. As much as I appreciate the insight into a “fractured” mind like this (and it was for sure fascinating and satisfied my curiosity for learning about people that experience life differently), I just didn’t enjoy myself as much as I hoped to. 

Would I read this again? No. But I do admire what it does, and I am glad I read it.